Egads - I just picked up three Arnold U25C models for $27 each.

[daniel_leavitt2000]

I thought the two for $100 was a good deal. I bid $30 on three  u boats just to see if I'd win. At that price, they are almost tinker fodder.

I bought one new when they came out. I think it was $140 WITH the MBK discount. I was happy enough with it that I bought two SW1s when they went on fire sale at $50 each. I may end up picking a few more up at this price.

If you haven't considered one of these engines yet, I would recommend trying one out. They are fantastic.

[Philip H]

Where did you score that deal?

[daniel_leavitt2000]

Follow this sellers n scale items:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Arnold-Penn-Central-GE-U25C-DCC-Ready-6313-N-Scale-Locomotive-HN2318/292774322821?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2750.l2649

They put auctions up every few days. It looks like no one bids.

[ryan_wilkerson]

A few months ago I bought a couple SW1 shells from them for ~$12 plus shipping. Sometimes the whole locomotive sells in the low $30s. Really nice loco, especially at that price.

[muktown128]

The eBay seller has them as buy it now deals - 2 for just under $100 or 1 for just under $55.
I bought a couple of CB&Q units a while ago when the blow out sales started, not sure from who though.
I agree, they are nice units and still a really good deal at 2 for $100. 
If you can get them for less than that, its practically a steal.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Oh man, I should watch for some SW1s so I can swap out the TT wheels.

[tehachapifan]

Oh man, I should watch for some SW1s so I can swap out the TT wheels.

Well, there goes my secret stake-out! 

Actually, it would probably make me crazy to basically scrap a perfectly-good loco for one or two wheelsets anyway, no matter how cheap I got it.

I would probably want to find new wheels for that one...and so on.

[squirrelhunter]

Since the U boats have 6 pin DCC connectors, how hard would it be to add an ESU decoder and speaker?

[Steveruger45]

Since the U boats have 6 pin DCC connectors, how hard would it be to add an ESU decoder and speaker?

I have looked at these too and thought about a sound install but they are too early for my era.  With the six pin socket a lokpilot micro with the six pins would be plug and play. As far as a loksound that looks to be a bit more of a challenge but doable, I think.  I was thinking a 73100 or 73199 will fit on top where the original board is with some hard wiring and a speaker with enclosure looks doable at the rear end and glue the bottom of the enclosure with a spot of ca to that lump of metal sticking up so the speaker is cantilevered and doesn’t foul the truck.  Would be nice if someone that has one of these locos could check it out.  If clearance on top of the frame was enough or could be made with some filing and shell width was enough a 73800 should work too.
The frame on these appears to hark back some to those of the old Kato GP38-2’s and GP50’s both of which I put 73800’s in.

[Ed Kapuscinski]

Well, there goes my secret stake-out! 

Actually, it would probably make me crazy to basically scrap a perfectly-good loco for one or two wheelsets anyway, no matter how cheap I got it.

I would probably want to find new wheels for that one...and so on.

Just put all the TT wheels on the other one!

[tehachapifan]

Just put all the TT wheels on the other one!

In which case all I have a shelf queen or diesel shop area eye candy.....unless I permanently MU it to another loco making it one helluva puller!

[peteski]

While the wheelsets are sold out, I wonder if the spare complete truck assemblies are still available from Hornby/Arnold?  Buying those just for the TT-less drivers would result in less waste (and probably cheaper than buying the entire loco at a discounted price).

[samusi01]

When I called them last year they had none. Not sure what they would've done with any spares... my off-and-on searches haven't found any wheelsets at various retailers. I'd love to replace the traction tires on mine as well but haven't yet decided to drop $100 into the project.

[GhengisKong]

When I called them last year they had none. Not sure what they would've done with any spares... my off-and-on searches haven't found any wheelsets at various retailers. I'd love to replace the traction tires on mine as well but haven't yet decided to drop $100 into the project.

Use Bullfrog snot? I know thinning it with half water/half BFS helps make the application more even.

[samusi01]

Item the first, disregard my last... was thinking wheelsets. I didn't ask them about whole truck assemblies. As for the bullfrog snot, my intent was to remove the axle with the traction tire and replace it with an axle that didn't have one. I'm not sure why they chose to include a traction tire in the first place.